Hi kennel
Some advice from someone who has both Intel and AMD systems - be sure you understand the testing methodology of the sites producing benchmark comparisons if you are to base your decision on those. Typically cpu gaming tests are run with the graphic settings at absolute minimum to stress the cpu as much as possible, mainly because most games are gpu limited. For a more relevant comparison, read
this, or
this for a review including the FX-8350.
Back to your question – I’m not sure if you understand the architecture, but Bulldozer cpu’s comprise a number of dual-core modules which share some resources (particularly the floating-point units which handle graphic calculations) and are labelled SMT (simultaneous multi-threading). This architecture requires the OS to assign tasks correctly for them to function as intended, which Windows 7 doesn’t. Windows 8 does, so that would be my first recommendation.
Secondly, a lot of new games are using the DirectX 11 api, which can enable multi-threading over as many threads as your cpu can handle, and this includes CloD. Out of the new games I have currently on my pc, Rise of Flight, rFactor2, CoD Black Ops2 and Dishonored only use 4 cores all being DirectX 9. IL-2 CloD, Dirt3, F1 2012 and Far Cry3 all use 8 since they use the DirectX 11 api (if not all the graphics features available). All games based on this version in future will take advantage of additional cores available.
Thirdly, if you do not intend having to overclock at all, then the FX-4170 would be a good choice due to its default high clock speed. BD only really starts performing satisfactorily once over 4.0GHz from my experience, and this one is already there. If you would prefer an 8-core variant I would suggest the FX-8350 for the same reason. I bought mine with the idea of overclocking from the start so I didn’t waste any money on one with a higher default speed. I use AMD OverDrive (AOD) to alter the clock states from the default 3.1/3.4/4.0GHz to 4.1/4.3/4.5GHz and the performance is really good. With it set like this it will run the same as the FX-4170 in any DirectX 9 game (power state P1 on 4 cores: 4.3GHz).
Fourthly, BD has native support for DDR3 1866 memory. In other words you don’t have to overclock you memory to reach this speed, it will do it by default (you may need to select this multiplier in your BIOS). There isn’t a lot of measurable difference in performance between 1600 and 1866, but it’s there. Mine has the same bandwidth with 1866 chips as my Core i5 does with 1333 chips, which is very good. Also most games (all?) are 32-bit and therefore cannot address more than 3GB of memory, so 8GB is way more than enough. If you intend running virtual machines, then go for more.
Lastly, I agree with kendo about the psu – 1000W is overkill. I run a 600W CoolerMaster, and even with my previous power-hungry HD6970 and overclocking have had no problems. So save yourself some cash, buy a 600W and put some of the difference into changing the cpu for a FX-8350 (from most reports this will OC to 4.7GHz 'easily').
To summarise:
AMD FX-8350 Piledriver cpu
2 x 4GB DDR3 1866 memory modules
Name-brand 600W psu
Windows 8 64-bit
Edit: Oh, and you may want to stick an AMD HD7970 3GB into that system for 100% compatibility and more savings
